Looking for the best campgrounds near Yosemite National Park, CA? Yosemite National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$36 / night
"Had a great weekend going to Yosemite national park, either way if the temperature was low"
"Close to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake/Meadow, this campground is convenient for day hikers. it's one of the better spots in Yosemite Valley, somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak."
$60 / night
"These are walk-in sites for tents only and are on a per person basis ( It fills up really fast ) parking is available adjacent to the campground, you will need a parking permit."
"This iconic campground, situated in the middle of Yosemite Valley, was once home to many of America's early rock climbing pioneers. "
$28 - $75 / night
"Wawona is within the gates of Yosemite National Park, and is about 25 minutes away from the valley floor - it’s not too far of a drive, but it’s on the windy mountainous Highway 41 into Yosemite."
"The river and swimming holes are close by and accessible to all, sites have ample space between each other, there are clean restrooms, and all sites have their own bear box."
$48 / night
"Very great campsite located right in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Hard to get reservations unless you plan way ahead which we do every year but we'll work it."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
$36 - $60 / night
"Bathrooms were clean, access to drinking water was easy. Park shuttle is nearby and easy to get around."
"There is only a small area next to the paved parkway that is flat for our 6-person tent. But this is a Yosemite campground, we would take whatever campsite available. Restroom is clean."
"The site is right outside Yosemite National park. It is perfect for car camping as it is a large parking lot. There is a dumpster and it’s fantastic for viewing the stars."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
$24 / night
"As an overall experience, I give the Yosemite Creek, and the Yosemite National Park overall amazing experience and would highly recommend it!"
"The campground was easy to find, conveniently located within the park, spacious and very clean. I was a little nervous about bears, but there is a bear locker for every site."
$98 - $300 / night
"Best part is the location, which gives direct access to some of the most popular trails -- Happy Isles to Mist Trail, Mirror lake, etc. It has a nice family friendly vibe."
"The location is perfect for all the Valley trails. There is a shuttle right outside. There are several campgrounds here."
$36 - $75 / night
"Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located in Yosemite National Park in the Central California's Sierra Nevada Mountain. Its elevation at 8000 plus feet gives you the chance to see beautiful scenery."
"This campground is located outside of Yosemite Valley, so it has less of the “Disneyland of the Sierra” feel—more serene and fewer people and buses."
"For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!"
"Beautiful campground, unfortunately right next to the trail, but very spacious and also has bathrooms and picnic tables right there!"
ScoutIt’s still our favorite spot on the lake for my weekends and the hosts are wonderful. These are group sites, and honestly, I think they’re the best on the entire lake. You get easy beachfront access and a great base for visiting Oakhurst or exploring the area.
GuideYou can get there on 2WD, it’s a bit bumpy though. Don’t go all the way up, there’s fees at the reserved spots. There’s dispersed camping shortly after you pass the hot springs, there’s a small field where people park and if you go to the road on the side of the lot it’ll take you to more spots to camp in the trees.
The smoke was so bad I had to leave early. Be sure to check for fires nearby.
ScoutHung iut here for a few weeks. Awesome views. Quiet with only occasional road noise. Conveniences (gas, groceries, dump station, restaurant, etc.) within 10 miles. Excellent Verizon signal (for data).
TravelerEasy to drive in but don’t pass that sign that says “4 wheeled only” with an RV. We have a 24ft and had a perfectly leveled spot underneath a large tree. You can see the lake from there. We took a bicycle ride in to the “south Tufa” which is only 2 miles away. Watched the sunset there, magical!
ScoutIt was just so nice, I don’t know if it was dispersed camping cause the location takes you to Virginia creek and there is a long road with lots of space like it’s a legit campground but no one there to check and no signs that you had to pay. I went there on Labor Day weekend so it was busy everywhere, this place had a ton of spots open though. No one bothered us. Each spot had a bear food containers and access to a little creek. So you heard water running while you go to sleep. Loved it so much so peaceful.
ScoutThe bathrooms and showers are clean. The sites are a little tight. My Wi-Fi was Starlink so I don’t know how the camp Wi-Fi was.
GuideLake George was the perfect camp spot for our 4 night stay. It is first come first serve. We stayed in site 14 - the mountain side or tree side is better because it’s not windy at all! All the spots with lake view are very windy and it can be cold even in the summer! The bathrooms are super clean and have real toilets. No showers though! There is lots to do in the area and Lake George isn’t nearly as busy as Lake Mary/ Pine City camp. Although there is day use areas and it can be busy with fishing. Lots of wildlife in the area, so use the Bear box and keep food in containers. Even the chipmunks, birds, and mice will get into your stuff. I saw chipmunks trying to break into tents. This site is small RV/Trailer friendly - we stayed in our truck camper. This is NOT for big rigs or class A RVs. Also no hookups but they have a water spyket. Beware of elevation if you are not used to it - it’s at a whopping 9,250 feet and I was sick for 2 days. It’s $34 a night and quiet hours are 10pm-6am. Generators are aloud just not during quiet hours. Bring your paddle board or kayak and hit the water! It’s so beautiful here.
ScoutNice shot in the middle of town. Easy walk to all u need. Great cell service. Beautiful views of river. Clean
ScoutI spent a week here, making it worthwhile to unload the electric pop-up camper (w/ electric jacks) from my truck. My canopy @rear (facing west) was very welcome, as the dead scrub offers absolutely NO shade. It was charred from a recent burn, making for excellent campfires! The cab-over cantilever @front (facing east) also gave shade in the late afternoon heat! I brought two additional tanks of water, allowing for refreshing showers in this arid desert environment.
From Navy Beach Rd, I drove 3/4 miles east on FS-1N54, until I crossed into Inyo NF territory, @ a juncture. After another 1/2 mile on E Shore Rd, I found a clearing suitable for my camper, @1/2 mile from the shore. In another 3 miles, there is a very nice cul-de-sac turn-around, which, @50' x 100', looks large enough to accommodate a half-dozen vehicles. In another 5 miles, you cross from USFS into a local tract of land. While BLM territory surrounds the entire lake, it is more than 1 mile away from shore. Beware of very soft sand I encountered beyond my campsite. Some sections were like 'quicksand', forcing me to air-down to 15 PSI. It challenged my 'Limited Slip' Tundra, so an AWD car could get in serious trouble. The only people I saw were in two jeeps that passed-by my camp, backtracking out 1/2 hour later. From my bed, I heard (but did not see - new moon) several animal visitors. They only come out at night...
In spite of the seclusion, my camp was actually quite close to main roads, so I spent a lot of time out sight-seeing. I was also close enough to Navy Beach to launch my kayak @sunrise, when the water is dead-calm. Ocean-type squalls can flare up with no warning, because of the wide-open desert terrain. I got a permit to camp on Phoe Island from a Ranger @Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center. However, after he showed me photos of squalls & told of numerous drowned kayakers, I thought better of it...
Camping near Yosemite National Park, California, offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors while soaking in breathtaking views. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique features, you can find the perfect spot for your adventure.
Camping near Yosemite National Park, California, is an adventure filled with natural beauty and outdoor fun. Just be prepared for the unique challenges that come with it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make reservations for Yosemite National Park campgrounds?
Reservations for most Yosemite campgrounds must be made well in advance—up to 5 months ahead for popular sites like Upper Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park. Make reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. The competition is fierce, especially for summer dates, so mark your calendar and be ready when the booking window opens. Some campgrounds like North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park require planning a year ahead. A limited number of first-come, first-served campgrounds exist, but they typically fill by early morning, especially during peak season.
What amenities are available at Yosemite campgrounds?
Yosemite campgrounds generally offer basic amenities including potable water, vault or flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers (bear boxes) which are essential and required for use. Tuolumne Meadows Campground — Yosemite National Park offers beautiful scenery at 8,000+ feet elevation. Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park provides bear boxes and basic facilities. Most campgrounds do not have showers, electricity, or RV hookups. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many sites. Some campgrounds have nearby general stores for basic supplies, though selection varies seasonally.
What are the best times of year to camp in Yosemite National Park?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best overall camping experience in Yosemite, though this is also the busiest period. Tioga Lake Campground near the eastern entrance sits at 9,800 feet elevation and is typically accessible from June through September. Weather varies dramatically by elevation—Ellery Campground can see temperatures as low as 25°F even in June at higher elevations. Fall brings fewer crowds and beautiful colors, while winter camping is limited to Lower Pines. Spring offers waterfalls at peak flow but potential for variable weather conditions.
What private campgrounds are available near Yosemite when park campgrounds are full?
When Yosemite campgrounds are full, several private options await nearby. High Sierra RV Park offers full hookups, though some sites may require careful maneuvering for larger RVs. Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora provides grassy full hookup sites with easy access to the historic mining town. For dispersed camping, Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site just outside the park offers a large parking lot ideal for car camping with dumpster access and excellent stargazing. Summerdale Campground near the South entrance features a peaceful setting with a stream and requires advance reservations.
What are the best campgrounds inside Yosemite National Park?
For valley views and central location, Camp 4 — Yosemite National Park is popular with climbers and offers walk-in sites. Lower Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park provides exceptional valley access with sites suitable for various camping setups. For a high-country experience with stunning alpine meadows, Tuolumne Meadows offers a cooler retreat from summer heat. North Pines features creekside sites perfect for summer swimming. Upper Pines, the largest valley campground, offers convenient access to major trailheads and attractions.
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